All posts by mjharvell

Welcome, friend—I’m glad you’ve pulled up a chair on the front porch of my little corner of the internet. My name is Michael Joe Harvell, and I live my life with one simple mission: to glorify God, encourage people, and leave this world a little better than I found it. I’m a husband, father, pastor, writer, Jeep enthusiast, and front-porch thinker who believes that life is best lived on purpose. I serve as pastor of Eureka Baptist Church in Anderson, South Carolina, where I get the joy of preaching, teaching, and walking with people through the ups and downs of everyday life. Over the years, I’ve discovered that faith isn’t just about Sunday mornings—it’s about living every single day in the presence and power of God. I’m also an author. My books—including The Grace Exchange: How Forgiven People Forgive People and The Word Works—grow out of the sermons, stories, and lessons I’ve learned on this journey. I write in a style that’s conversational, a little front-porch-rocking-chair, and full of stories, quotes, and Scripture that point us back to the goodness of God’s Word. When I’m not writing or preaching, you might find me sitting outside with my Bible and journal, cruising the backroads in my Jeep Gladiator, or sharing a meal and some laughs with the good folks God has put in my life. I love helping people find peace in their spirit, strength in their body, and encouragement in their soul. This blog is simply an extension of that mission. Here you’ll find devotions, encouragement, reflections, and practical insights for living a life of purpose, peace, and joy. So grab a cup of coffee, pull up a rocking chair, and stay awhile—I’d be honored to walk this road of faith with you.

Power!

Acts 1:8 says, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Now that word power isn’t talking about your willpower, your education, or your charm. It’s talking about Holy Ghost power — the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. God never called us to try to live the Christian life on our own strength. He promised to put His Spirit in us so that we could be His witnesses.

Think about it like this: a lamp may be beautifully made, polished, and set in the finest room, but it can’t light up a single corner until it’s plugged into the source. When you and I stay plugged into the Spirit, we shine in dark places. That’s when your home, your workplace, your community starts to notice — not you, but Christ living in you.

So take courage today. You are not powerless, you are Spirit-powered. And God’s power in you isn’t meant to be bottled up — it’s meant to spill out. Let your words, your actions, and your love point somebody to Jesus today. Shine where you are, and watch how far the light will go.

Keep It Simple!

Micah 6:8 is one of those verses that reads like God pulling up a chair on the front porch and saying, “Let’s keep this simple.” The prophet boils down all the noise of religion, ritual, and rules into three clear steps: “Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God.” That’s it. That’s the good life, the blessed life, the life that honors the Lord.

To do justly means living with integrity—treating people right, even when nobody’s watching. To love mercy means showing kindness, forgiveness, and compassion, even when people don’t deserve it—just like God has shown us. And to walk humbly with God means remembering every step we take is because of His grace, not our greatness.

So today, when you’re tempted to complicate life or feel weighed down by expectations, remember: God’s not asking for perfection—He’s asking for direction. Head down the path of justice, lace it with mercy, and walk it hand-in-hand with Him. That’s how you change your world, one humble step at a tim

God’s Presence!

Exodus 33:15 says, “And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.”

Friend, Moses knew something we sometimes forget—God’s presence is not optional; it’s essential. You can have the Promised Land, flowing with milk and honey, but if the Lord’s presence isn’t there, it’s just empty real estate. Moses would rather stay in the wilderness with God than walk into paradise without Him. That’s how much he valued the nearness of the Lord.

In your life, there will be days when opportunities open up, doors swing wide, and paths look easy. But don’t move without the presence of God. A job promotion without His presence becomes a burden. A relationship without His presence turns into heartbreak. But even the hardest journey with His presence becomes joy, peace, and strength.

So today, pray like Moses: “Lord, if You’re not in it, I don’t want it. But if You are with me, I c